Amusement apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise and amusement device having a pair of spaced-apart rings or hoops which allow a person to roll while being safely contained within the device. The rings are kept in spaced-apart position by a number of support bars as well as a handle bar useful by a person using the device for stabilizing his position while the device is in use. The support bars and handle bar are attached at their opposite end to the pair of rings respectively in fixed, spaced-apart relationship. A support panel, equipped with a comfort pad, as well as a pair of foot supports, are also provided for comfortably accommodating a person within the device.

[0001] Priority claimed on Ser. No. 60-275,122 Filed Mar. 13, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of amusement devicesand, more particularly, to a novel device that not only providesamusement but permits the user to exercise and to maneuver the deviceinto a variety of positions without leaving the device or requiringadditional equipment, parts or assembly.

[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

[0005] In the past, a variety of amusement and exercising devices havebeen provided which enable a user to place his body in a variety ofpositions in order to achieve the benefits of additional exercises oramusements. Problems and difficulties have been encountered when usingconventional equipment for multiple body positioning which stem largelyfrom the fact that changes must be made to the equipment in order toaccommodate different body orientations and maneuvering. Such changesnot only require added expense in equipment but require time to assembleand disassemble the equipment in order to achieve the desiredconfiguration permitting particular body maneuvering. Furthermore, mostconventional devices of this type do not fully support the entire bodyof the user and do not provide sufficient cushioning for user comfort.

[0006] Therefore, a long standing need has existed to provide anamusement or exercising device which can be totally occupied by theuser's body and wherein the user can manipulate the equipment into avariety of positions so that various body orientations can be achievedwithout the user leaving the device or repositioning his body within thedevice. Furthermore, the user's comfort is important and sufficientcushioning must be placed critically in order to provide maximum comfortto the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided bythe present invention which provides a novel amusement and/or exercisingapparatus which comprises a pair of spaced-apart concentric rings whichare of tubular construction and which are placed in spaced-apart,parallel relationship along a common central axis. Various connectingmembers or support bars are positioned in the space between the ringsand have their opposite ends fixly secured to inside and opposingsurfaces of the rings. A selected one of the support bars includes ahandgrip bar which is offset and may be readily gripped by the userduring operation of the device. Other supporting bars not only serve tomaintain fixed, spaced apart relationship between the pair of rings butserve to mount a rigid support panel or resilient netting that, in turn,supports a cushion material. The cushion panel or netting is detachablyconnected to the rings by means of fasteners detachably connected to thesupport bars or by straps employing hook and pile fasteners. The supportbars against which the netting or the cushion panel rests are disposedabout one quarter of the circumference of the rings while the remainderof the space between the rings is open. The rings may be made of tubularconstruction and the support bars may also be of tubular constructionand attachment of the support bars to the respective rings is done bymeans of a socket piece secured to the opposing sides of the rings intowhich opposite ends of the support bars are inserted and fastened.

[0008] Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the presentinvention to provide a novel amusement and/or exercising device whichpermits the user to change position without leaving the device orwithout repositioning his or her body with respect to the device.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a novel amusementdevice which is comfortable and includes adequate cushioning to preventinjury or damage to the person's back while feet and hands engageportions of the device during an exercise or maneuvering condition.

[0010] Still a further object of the invention is to provide a novelamusement device having a handle bar held by the hands of the user andwherein the apparatus can be repositioned to a desired position withoutthe occupant leaving the device.

[0011] Still a further object resides in employing a amusement devicethat maintains control by generally rocking the device and wherein theuser can swiftly change position by just turning the device 180°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The features of the present invention which are believed to benovel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Thepresent invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood with reference to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the novel amusement and/orexercising device incorporating the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of thedevice shown in FIG. 1 as taken in the direction of arrows 2-2 thereof;

[0015]FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a mounting fixture usedto connect the ends of support bars to the rings; and

[0016]FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the amusementand/or exercising device taken in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, the novel amusement and/or exercising deviceof the present invention is illustrated in the general direction ofarrow 10 and includes a pair of circular hoops or rings 11 and 12 whichare arranged in fixed, spaced-apart parallel relationship about a commoncentral axis and are joined together by at least five support bars orcross-members. Cross-members or bars 13, 14, 15, and 16 are straightbars having their opposite ends joined to the respective hoops or rings11 and 12 by means of a fastener connector such as indicated by numeral17. Also, 180° from support bar 13, there is provided a handle bar 18and its opposite ends are connected to the respective hoops by fastenerssimilar to that indicated by numeral 17. It is to be particularly notedthat the central section of the handle bar 18 is offset by means ofsections 20 and 21 which lie on a common axis that is offset from thelongitudinal axis of the midsection of the bar. It is also to be notedthat the inside of the device includes a netting or rigid support suchas a wooden panel that is identified by numeral 22 and that the edgemarginal regions of the panel are attached to each of the respectivehoops 11 and 12. The exposed inside of the panel 22 carries a comfortpad 23 against which the torso of the user is placed, while the legs ofthe user are either placed against the inside of the hoop at anapproximate area identified by numerals 24 and 25 or, if desired, footpads or supports may be carried on each of the respective hoops such asshown in broken lines and identified by numerals 26 and 27.

[0018] Referring now in detail to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the handlebar 18 is secured at its opposite ends to the respective hoops, such ashoop 11, by means of fastener connector 17 which includes a shapedfitting that is held against the hoop by means of a screw-type fasteneror retainer 28. The back side of the hoop includes a nut 30 into whichthe threaded shank 31 of the fastener or retainer 28 is threadablyengaged. When tightened, the fitted fastener 17 maintains the bar 18 inposition and secure attachment.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows the arrangement in which the shaped fastenerconnector 17 is provided with a central bore 32 for insertably receivingthe shank 31 of the retainer 28. One side of the shaped fastener orfixture 17 includes a semi-circular cut-out 33 that meets with thecurved shape of the hoop 11 preparatory for tightening of the retainerwith the nut 30. It is also to be noted that the mid-section of bar 18is covered with a cushion grip material identified by numeral 34.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the cushion pad 23 isattached to the surface of the panel 22 by means of an adhesive 36. Thepanel 22 is attached along its edge marginal regions to the respectivehoops 11 and 12 by means of securement fasteners 35.

[0021] In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that person desiring touse the amusement and/or exercising device of the present invention canenter between hoops 11 and 12 and place their back against the cushion23 while their feet can be disposed against the hoops at portions 24 and25 on the inside of the hoops or can be placed against pads or supports26 and 27. The user's hands are placed about the handle bar 18 and theuser may then roll from one position to another while maintaining theirposition in the device. The user's body is exposed through the openingin the space between the hoops 11 and 12 since the cushion 23 onlyoccupies a portion of the space. Preferably, the handle bar 18 and thebar 13 are 180° apart. No other support is needed to maintain the hoopsin position with respect to one another then the handle bar and thesupport bars 13-16 respectively.

[0022] While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenshown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appendedclaims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for exercise and amusement comprising: apair of spaced-apart circular rings coaxially disposed on a commoncentral axis and disposed in parallel relationship; a handle bardisposed between said rings and having opposite ends joined respectfullyto said rings; at least one support bar disposed between said rings andhaving opposite ends joined at either end to said rings; and a cushionmeans mounted between said rings and attached to said support bar. 2.The device defined in claim 1 wherein: said support bar is criticallylocated 180° opposite to said handle bar.
 3. The device defined in claim2 wherein: at least four support bars having opposite ends attached tosaid rings.
 4. The device defined in claim 3 wherein: said cushion meansincludes a panel secured to at least two of said support bars; and acushion pad secured to said panel residing inside of and disposedbetween said rings.
 5. The device as defined in claim 4 wherein: footsupporting means carried on said rings in spaced-apart relationship withrespect to said cushion means against which the feet of the occupantbears with the occupant's hands on said handle bar.
 6. The device asdefined in claim 5 wherein: said foot supporting means includes a rigidfoot pad attached to each of said rings and cantilevered outwardly fromeach of said rings.
 7. A device for exercise and amusement comprising: apair of circular rings arranged in coaxial fixed, spaced-apartrelationship; a plurality of rigid support bars disposed between andattached to said rings; a selected one of said support bars constitutinga handle bar and having an offset mid-section adapted to be grasped bythe hands of an occupant; a torso supporting means disposed between saidrings and secured to said rings and to at least one of said supportbars; said torso supporting means having a panel with an adhesivelyattached cushion adapted to comfortably support the occupant; and footsupport means carried on each of said rings for accommodating bearing ofthe occupant's feet thereagainst.
 8. The device defined in claim 7including: a fitting and fastener arrangement operably coupling andsecuring opposite ends of each of said support bars to said rings. 9.The device defined in claim 8 wherein: said fitting and fastenerarrangement includes a connector having a semi-circular receptacle forinsertably receiving said ring and a screw and nut fastener securingsaid fitting to said ring and to said support bar.
 10. The devicedefined in claim 9 including: a cushion carried on said offsetmid-section of said handle bar.
 11. The device defined in claim 10wherein: said rings and said support bars are of tubular construction;and said rings are adapted to roll on a supporting surface in responseto weight shifts of the occupant.